Glass-Based Sub-Wavelength Photonic Structures

Fabrication of confined structures, where light can be confined over nano or micro scale region is fantastic challenge for nano-science based technologies. Manufacture of such structures has become possible due to the opportunity delivered by nanotechnology, which opens the way to the study of new functional artificial materials and plasmonic structures, promising progress in miniaturization and which allow exploration of new aspects of light-matter interaction. The exploitation of their unique properties covers a range of applications possibilities and system performance that are not solely ICT oriented but also concern Lighting; Laser, Sensing, Energy, Environment, and Health. Here we will discuss about glass-derived novel nano and micrometer scale range structures such as microcavities, waveguides, microresonators, transparent glass-ceramics, and photonic crystals mainly fabricated by sol-gel and rf-sputtering techniques, evidencing the capital scientific and technological interest of this kind of structures, which require and allow common multidisciplinary research involving scientists coming from a large spectrum of disciplines. Attention will be focused on the structural and spectroscopic properties of such systems that, when activated by rare earth ions, represents the cornerstone in a wide number of technological applications such as integrated optical amplifiers, laser systems, and solar energy converters.